The Rīga Conference 2022 is a dynamic hybrid event. It blends a traditional face-to-face meeting with remote streamlined interactions both among speakers and participants, in Latvia and abroad.
The Conference will take place in an intriguingly designed, high tech urban competence site – the National Library of Latvia. It will be held over two consecutive days, October 21 and 22, but please note that the side events will already begin to take place on October 20.
Hybrid event blends traditional face-to-face with remote streamlined interactions among speakers and participants in Latvia and abroad.
October 21, 2022 (Friday)
The National Library of Latvia
09:00 – 10:00
(GMT+3)
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
10:00 – 11:00
(GMT+3)
OPENING SESSION
SPRING STAGE
REALPOLITIK VS IDEALPOLITIK: THE WEST AFTER 24 FEBRUARY
OPENING OF THE RĪGA CONFERENCE 2022
The long-standing debate about realpolitik vs idealpolitik has gained new relevance since the 24th of February, when Russia launched an unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine. A global wave of condemnation followed this breach of international law, yet the politics of supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia have become more complex as energy costs soar, disinformation confuses opinion and fatigue sets in. A smart mix of realpolitik and idealpolitik is now needed. Does Europe have the recipe?
H.E. Egils Levits, President of the Republic of Latvia
Amb Dr Christoph Heusgen, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference
Carl Bildt, Former Prime Minister, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden
Moderator: Sandra Kalniete, Experienced diplomat, Latvian politician, Member of the European Parliament since 2009
11:00 – 12:00
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
WHERE DO EUROPEAN STRATEGIC INTERESTS LEAD?
Multiple concurrent crises have put Europe and major European powers at a crossroads. Presently, France is balancing its interests between the European and global scale, Germany is revisiting its Ostpolitik security and defence posture, and the EU together with the United Kingdom is considering its most efficient cooperation model. Can the threat and risk perceptions of EU member states consolidate in a clear and strategic direction for Europe? Can the EU deal with the issues surrounding authoritarian Russia, Ukrainian military needs against tyranny, and the impending economic crisis without tearing European cooperation apart? Can the existing cooperation patterns between the EU and NATO offer policies that address the most urgent threats and risks in Europe and its neighbourhood?
Alice Guitton, Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces of France
Roberts Zīle, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia
Michal Baranowski, Senior Fellow and Director, Warsaw Office at the German Marshall Fund of the United States
Moderator: Dr Jana Puglierin, Head of the Berlin Office, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
12:00 – 12:30
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
12:30 – 13:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
ROOM FOR MANOEUVER IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP: INCORPORATING VARIOUS DEGREES OF INTEGRATION WITH THE EU
Major European powers and the EU have always stated that members of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) democratise first and then benefit from the advantages of European integration. This offer to Eastern European countries has been rather rigid. Without jeopardising European and Western liberal democratic values, Europe should modify the Eastern Partnership to address the more specific interests of aspirant countries. How do the EaP countries striving for EU membership (Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) perceive the existing Eastern Partnership policy, and what are their expectations? There are voices claiming that the Eastern Partnership is outdated and needs either revision or replacement by special arrangements for Armenia and Azerbaijan. What policy solutions might best serve the interests of individual partners?
Klympush-Tsintsadze Ivanna, Chairperson of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union (tbc)
Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (tbc)
Teimuraz Janjalia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
Dr Iulian Groza, Director of the European Policy and Reform Institute
Moderator: Sergi Kapanadze, Former Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament and former Deputy Foreign Minister; Founder, of GRASS and FactCheck; Professor at the Caucasus University
13:30 – 14:30
(GMT+3)
LUNCH BREAK
14:30 – 15:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
UKRAINE’S VICTORY BEFORE PEACE
Ukraine is demonstrating astonishing willpower and unity in the fight against Russian aggression. Success has been achieved in all dimensions of resistance. To continue to successfully stand against Russian invasion, Ukraine is drawing up a recovery plan on the path to victory and lasting peace. Ukrainians will make their own decisions about how they will fight against the aggressor. What is the likely course of negotiations, and what role will Western partners play? What is the forecast for the coming winter? What are the most effective ways to help Ukraine in its resistance? What does Ukraine expect from its partners during the post-conflict reconstruction process?
Claudia Major, Head of the International Security Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs
Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” and Editor-in-Chief at UA: Ukraine Analytica
Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, Vice President and Executive Director of the Berlin Office at the German Marshall Fund
Aleksey Arestovich, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (tbc)
Moderator: Kimberly Dozier, Contributor at TIME Magazine
15:30 – 16:00
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 – 17:00
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
ECONOMY IN THE AGE OF SANCTIONS: NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL RESPONSE
The hope of resuming economic cooperation during an apparently waning global pandemic was derailed by Russia choosing atrocious war to nourish its imperial delusions. Not only has the war cut off exports from Ukraine, but numerous sanctions packages have been imposed on Russia. Due to the war in Ukraine and a possible conflict in the Indo-Pacific, global logistics providers, as well as regional powers and governments, are particularly worried. These conditions will have an impact on individuals and businesses, who will abandon the former global good in favour of what is available locally. From raw materials (India rejecting Russia's offer to buy cheaper oil) to the aspirations of other regional/ corporate/ national powers (China withdrawing its companies and cooperation offers to Russia in fear of US sanctions), there is a need for response to the looming food, energy and global commerce challenges.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People
Ana Palacio, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Visiting Professor at Georgetown University
Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, Senior Fellow at GMF
Dr Maria Shagina, Diamond-Brown Research Fellow for Economic Sanctions, Standards and Strategy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (online)
Moderator: Pēteris Strautiņš, Economist at Luminor Latvija
17:30 - 18:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
NATO STRATEGIC CONCEPT: VISION OR PLAN FOR ACTION?
At a time when NATO is facing strategic competition and the Euro-Atlantic region is not at peace, defining major security challenges is critical. Most transatlantic allies agree on the top challenge being Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine; however, other European neighbours are also seeking to reclaim ostensibly lost imperial glory. Meanwhile, China is classified as a systemic threat, but this threat is ranked lower than any humanitarian or security risk. Most allies agree that the security environment is volatile and contested. As a result, it will be difficult to find ways to deal with all the challenges to the rules-based liberal democratic world order all at once, especially when the democracies of the allies are themselves becoming increasingly fragile. After adopting the new strategic concept, it is critical to identify not only what the alliance is fighting against (and adjusting transatlantic military might accordingly) but also what it stands for, i.e. to explain to Euro-Atlantic democratic communities why resources for defence are of utmost importance. What challenges, capabilities and values should NATO's strategic concept be guided by?
Baiba Braže, Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy
Prof Benedetta Berti, Head of Policy Planning in the Office of the Secretary General at NATO
Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Moderator: Julian Lindley-French, Chair & Founder of TAG – Geopolitics, Strategy and Innovation; Chairman of The Alphen Group
18:30 – 19:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
MILITARISATION OF THE ARCTIC: CONSEQUENCES IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION?
The last decade has seen a shift in Arctic competition (ranging from resource exploration/exploitation to militarisation) and thus also open geopolitical competition. The US Army issued a report in 2021 stating that the Arctic is not only a source of resources but also a platform for global power competition. According to the Arctic Institute, the Canadian and Norwegian governments have embraced the position of their NATO ally, resulting in the transatlantic security alliance doubling military exercises in the far North and Russia allocating more than 80 percent of its nuclear weaponry to high north fleets between 2015 and 2020. The distribution of military might to the Arctic by major powers will affect not only how global challenges such as climate change and resource distribution evolve but will also affect the security of the Baltic Sea region.
Dr Tim B.T. Reilly, Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge
Pavel K. Baev, Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo
Dr Balkan Devlen, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute
Moderator: James Sherr, Senior Fellow of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the International Centre for Defence & Security
19:30
(GMT+3)
SPRING STAGE
SPECIAL ADDRESS BY MĀRTIŅŠ STAĶIS, THE MAYOR OF RĪGA
19:30 – 20:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
AUTUMN STAGE
CYBER SECURITY AND DATA GOVERNANCE IN TIMES OF WAR
In times of conflict, information and data drive operations, allow for quality decision-making, and thus give the warring side an advantage. Digitalisation has provided numerous benefits in addition to challenges. As a result, the battleground for data has transformed into a proving ground for cyber security. The protection of data or the acquisition of critical information during a war can sway the balance in favor of the most advanced in the hacking or digital field. Thus, another major front line in times of military conflict is protecting data and infrastructure from attack or damage, as well as from security breaches. The access to information for such revisionist powers as Russia or China can render information operations and intelligence a profound and salient emerging challenge.
Līga Raita Rozentāle, Senior Director of European Cybersecurity Policy, Microsoft
Marta Musidłowska, Digital Economy Analyst (online)
Jeffrey Edmonds, Research Scientist at the Center for a New American Security
Moderator: Kiryl Sukhotski, Regional Director for Europe and TV Production, RFE/RL
19:30 – 21:00
(GMT+3)
Welcome dinner in the National Library
21:00 – 22:00
(GMT+3)
NIGHT OWL SESSIONS
Sessions are held under the “Chatham House Rule”
I. RESILIENT WEST: LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM UKRAINE
Spring stage (1 Level)
Many were shocked by Russia’s appalling, outrageous and unforgivable atrocieties against Ukraine and its people. Even more were surprised and inspired by the pure bravery, resolve and the heart that Ukrainian soldiers and people have demonstrated in the face of a deadly foe. With this unfortunate and devastating experience Ukraine has come to hold a myriad of valuable lessons for resilience and survival of society that can help others to prepare for hellish scenarios. While some nations are well ahead of others in this area with years spent on building national survivability, it is high time for many in Europe to wake from a peaceful and careless slumber and rethink the way to approach civil preparedness and resilience. Ukraine is the master with many things to teach us and it is up to us to use this invaluable opportunity to do so.
Vitaliy Koval, Governor of Rivne Region, Ukraine (online)
Jānis Garisons, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Hasit Thankey,Head of Enablement and Resilience Section, NATO
Moderator: Ieva Bērziņa, Senior Researcher, National Defence Academy of Latvia
II. BELARUS: TRIGGERS FOR THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC UPRISING?
Future stage (-1 Level)
Domestic developments in Belarus have played a key role in the security dynamics of the region. The 2020 democratic protests did not manage to bring down the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka; instead, the regime became significantly more repressive and more dependent on Moscow for political and economic protection. Under these circumstances, in 2022, the dictator provided Belarusian territory and facilities to Russia for its attack on Ukraine. At the same time, the Lukashenka regime continues to claim that it does not intend to actively partake in the invasion and has even tried to style itself as a neutral party. It remains to be seen to what extent Lukashenka still has room for manoeuvring in this new reality of a full-scale war in Europe. Following the 2020 consolidation, the civil society of Belarus has gone through two years of mass repression but hasn’t been destroyed, as the anti-war protests in February 2022 clearly demonstrated. Now, it remains unclear as to what could trigger the next democratic uprising in Belarus.
Alena Kudzko, Director of the GLOBSEC Policy Institute
Dr Tatsiana Chulitskaya, Senior Researcher at Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania; Academic Director, SYMPA/BIPART
Valery Kavaleuski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Representative on Foreign Affairs and Head of the Cabinet
Moderator: Dr Aliaksei Kazharski, Researcher at the Institute of European Studies and International Relations of Comenius University, Lecturer at the Department of Security Studies of Charles University in Prague
III. HOW IS INTELLIGENCE ADAPTING TO INTERNATIONAL DISORDER?
Autum stage (-1 Level)
The success or failure of intelligence operations is determined not only by sound planning and execution but also by the quality of information. From the overthrow of Mosaddeq in 1953 to Guatemala in 1954 and elsewhere in the Americas, from Russia’s assertiveness against its Warsaw Pact allies in 1956 and 1968 and against Poland during the 1980s, there is evidence that poor intelligence can render even the most major of powers into feckless projectors of power. With Georgia and Ukraine, the provision of critical information against the Russian aggressor can shift the front line in favour of democratic values. How can the quality of obtained data be ensured and tested in this age of open access to unlimited sources of information? How can mutually effective cooperation among intelligence services of the EU and NATO be ensured?
H.E. Arndt Freytag Von Loringhoven, NATO's first Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security
Claude Moniquet, Chief Executive Officer at the European Strategic Intelligence and Security Center
Jānis Kažociņš, National Security Adviser to the President of Latvia, Secretary of the National Security Council
Prof Yoko Hirose, Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University
Moderator: Jānis Karlsbergs, NATO Stratcom
October 22, 2022 (Saturday)
The National Library of Latvia
8:00 – 9:00
(GMT+3)
EARLY BIRD SESSIONS
I. 3 SEAS INITIATIVE: ACT REGIONALLY, THINK GLOBALLY
Spring stage (1 Level)
The Three Seas Initiative provides a comprehensive platform for connecting business, politics and civil society. The initiative, which started its path with regionally relevant projects bringing benefits for the involved parties and Europe at large, now finds itself in a different geopolitical setting. The ongoing war in Ukraine has a sizable impact on European security, particularly in the 3SI region. How will the initiated projects aimed at fostering economic growth, digitalisation, green energy, etc. be implemented in the situation of existing regional security challenges? How should the 3 Seas Initiative be rearranged in order to integrate its non-EU partners, particularly those facing the challenges of war and transition? How can the 3 Seas Initiative contribute to peace and the recovery of Ukraine?
Wojciech Przybylski, Editor-in-Chief of Visegrad Insight, President of the Board at the Res Publica Foundation
Amb Edgars Bondars, Ambassador for the Three Seas Initiative
Andras Braun, Program Officer at the International Republican Institute
Laurențiu Flueraru, Foreign Policy Adviser at the Foreign Policy Department, Presidential Administration of Romania
Moderator: Balkan Devlen, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute
II. GEOPOLITICAL IMPACT ON REGIONAL SECURITY DYNAMICS IN THE GREATER MIDDLE EAST
Autumn stage (-1 Level)
The Middle East has been in turmoil for years. During the Cold War major powers fought battles in the Middle East, a region vital to the West and the rest of the world due to its strategic location and resources. Recently, when US President Joe Biden visited Saudi Arabia, Vladimir Putin honoured Iran by negotiating the transfer of combat drones to Russia for use in its conflict with Ukraine. Given this shifting landscape, will any Middle Eastern state forego its strategic partnership with Israel or Palestine to strengthen ties with major powers? Is it possible to have a covert rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the absence of increased US military presence? Can the Middle East go nuclear if the US and other major powers fail to bring Iran to the negotiating table and thus into the nuclear deal?
John Raine, Senior Adviser for Geopolitical Due Diligence at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Seyed Ali Alavi, Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS University of London
H.E. Aviva Raz Shechter, Special Envoy for Women – Peace and Security, Israel
Moderator: J.J. Green, National Security Correspondent at the WTOP Radio
09:00 – 09:30
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
09:30 – 10:30
(GMT+3)
SPECIAL CONVERSATION
SPRING STAGE
GERMAN FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY IN TIMES OF WAR IN UKRAINE
The discussion is organised in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Baltic states and the German Embassy to Latvia.
Russia has launched yet another offensive against a European country. It should be a primarily European responsibility to react and respond appropriately to unprovoked aggression. The German-led EU has been regarded as one of the major powers; global in terms of trade, it still remains regional in terms of security without the US security guarantees. The delay in providing support to Ukraine by key European powers, including Germany, has been widely criticized and has raised questions about their ability and readiness to counter Russian aggression. At the same time, Germany recently announced its willingness to become the leading European country in creating the European air defense umbrella. As the economic powerhouse at the centre of Europe, Germany will most likely lead the new 'Marshal plan' to rebuild post-war Ukraine, so such issues are more pertinent than ever. How can German foreign and security policy be aligned with the needs and support that Central and Eastern European states are providing to Ukraine militarily in order to combat Kremlin aggression, roll back Russia's imperial ambitions, and strengthen liberal democratic values?
Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, Vice President and Executive Director of the Berlin Office at the German Marshall Fund
Erik Brattberg, Senior Vice President, Albright Stonebridge Group, Part of Debrons Global Advisors
Tobias Winkler, Member of the German Bundestag (online)
Moderator: Pauls Raudseps, Journalist, Chairman of the Board at the Cits Medijs
10:30 – 11:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
HYBRIDITY OF HYBRID THREATS: RESPONSE OF THE BALTIC STATES
The Baltic states can be described as a region that is the most exposed to the diverse forms of hybrid threats. Bordering two authoritarian regimes who exploit military and non-military attacks on their neighbours, the Baltic states are building their counter strategies individually and regionally. The Russian language is viewed as a weapon, supplying the indigenous multi-ethnic populations in the Baltics with Kremlin narratives, malicious information and news. Furthermore, digital transformation has elevated the Baltic states to the forefront of European digital governance and e-services, and the cyber security and information held by larger countries about the Baltics must always be regarded as a potential weapon in the hands of an adversary. Russia can use and abuse anything, including its aging energy weapon, to sow and foster social discontent, division and conditions for political subversion through local political agents connected to the Kremlin. How can policymakers respond to and build resilience in the face of known-knowns, known-unknowns and unknown-unknowns?
Dr Ainius Lašas, Dean of The Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities at the Kaunas University of Technology
Elīna Lange-lonatamišvili, Senior Expert, NATO StratCom COE
James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO
Viktorija Rusinaite, Senior Analyst at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats
Moderator: Fredrik Löjdquist, Director of the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies
11:30 – 12:00
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
12:00 – 13:00
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Women, Peace and Security Index very clearly shows the link between the security of women and the stability of nations. Nevertheless, women and girls are still differentially impacted by conflict. Also, women remain under-represented in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict peace building efforts. Today's gender equality agenda in international relations is not about women's efforts to simply break into the so-called traditional male spheres; it is a broader demand for equality, human dignity and equal positioning of professional women in the social hierarchy. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has famously said: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." How can the inclusion of women in peace processes be achieved? How can NATO's policy on Women, Peace & Security be expanded? How can greater integration, inclusiveness and integrity of women in international security be achieved to ensure that this principle fully lives, not just exists?
Rachel Tausendfreund, Editorial Director of GMF
Helena Carreiras, Minister of National Defence of Portugal
H.E.Aviva Raz Shechter, Special Envoy for Women – Peace and Security, Israel
Charlotte Isaksson, Senior Gender Advisor to the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters, Directorate of Operations
H.E. Steven McGann,Founder of The Stevenson Group
Moderator: Dr Gunda Reire, Adviser to the Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
12:30 – 13:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
AUTUMN STAGE
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF NATIONAL SECURITY?
Hundreds of defence and security industries are witnessing a renewed sense of purpose. The war in Ukraine has faced European governments to act on resilience against threats of hybrid warfare and to support Ukraine by all means. At the European and NATO level there are proposals for greater collaboration on military programmes, procurements, and innovation. Still these plans could be hampered by harsh macroeconomic realities, dependencies on technologies and availability of critical materials. Decisionmakers are challenged to find the ways to bridge the challenges for co-operation, co-ordination, and standardisation to fill the stockpiles, which are running low. The defence industry is still a complex of large international prime contractors and nationally focused companies, as well as hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses. Throughout the fragmentation armies, companies and researchers struggle to shape defence capabilities and security of our nations.
Suzanne Raine, Trustee at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the Imperial War Museum
Dr. Juris Binde, President of LMT
Mykola Bielieskov, Senior Analyst of NGO Come Back (online)
Moderator: Elīna Egle-Ločmele, Chairperson of the Board of the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia
13:00 – 13:30
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
13:30 – 14:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
WILL RUSSIA REMAIN BEHIND AN IRON CURTAIN?
Russia’s invasion in Ukraine has ended an era of illusions that Russia can be a reliable partner in global affairs. Opinions in the West are divided. There are those who believe that it is Putin’s war and that he must be blamed for war crimes and experiments with imperialism and chauvinism in Russia, which is fuelled by extensive propaganda. Others speak of the collective responsibility of Russian society. Will the Russian society accept a new Iron Curtain? What are policy options under such circumstances? How do speculations about what Russia will be like after Putin reflect reality? What are development trajectories for the Russian state and nation? What will Russian statehood look like in 10-15 years?
H.E. Māris Riekstiņš, Ambassador of Latvia to Russia
Kadri Liik, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Prof Sergei Medvedev,Professor at Briva Universitate in Riga, Affiliated Professor at Charles University in Prague
Prof Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, Professor of Russian Politics at King's Russia Institute at King’s College London
Moderator: Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia and Eastern Europe Editor for the Economist
14:30 – 15:30
(GMT+3)
LUNCH BREAK
14:30 – 15:30
(GMT+3)
ONLINE SESSION
AUTUMN STAGE
EXPLORING MULTILATERALISM FOR WORLD PEACE AND SECURITY: CONTRIBUTIONS OF US – INDIA – JAPAN
This online discussion is organised in cooperation with the Global Boston Forum.
The role and relevance of multilateralism has been challenged several times during the last decade. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has undermined trust in international organisations and international rules and norms at large. International society calls for immediate actions in order to bring the world back on the peace and security track, which was observed and managed by multilateral arrangements. Is there any particular role of multilateral frameworks launched by the world’s leading actors? Is such a framework possible among US-EU-India-Japan? What could a group formed by these countries offer for the benefit of world peace and security?
Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, 1988 US Presidential Candidate, Co-founder and Chairman of the Boston Global Forum
Taro Kono, Japanese Minister of Digital Affairs
Yasuhide Nakayama, Former Japanese State Minister of Defense
Nazli Choucri, MIT Professor
Dilip Sinha, Former Ambassador of India to the United Nations
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-founder and CEO of the Boston Global Forum
Moderatror: Prof. Žaneta Ozoliņa, Chairwoman of the Board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
15:30 – 16:30
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
DEFENDING EVERY INCH
It seems that Russia will remain a threat for a long term even after Ukraine wins the ongoing war. And while one cannot control activities of a foe, one can control their own actions. Thus, in these geopolitical circumstances, strengthening security and defence is the most critical task. While modern weapon systems and advanced technologies take over the hardware part of military, the basic principles of waging war largely remain the same as seen throughout history and even today in Ukraine. As a viable deterrence and defence strategy, the concept of “forward defence” is taking its shape – but what is it really? What is it not and what should it be to live up to its promise? Will that be sufficient to avoid a future conflict on Europe’s continent? In the face of Russian warfare of brutal, massive conventional war with nuclear threats looming in the background, what are the means and strategies we should develop to create a credible counter-force? And with economic distresses affecting every area of public life, what is the right balance between security and welfare? How should economy be shaped to war conditions?
Dr Artis Pabriks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Patrick Turner, Former Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, NATO
Andrew Michta, Dean of the College of International and Security Studies at Marshall Center
Moderator: Mr. Jim Townsend, Adjunct Senior Fellow, CNAS
16:30 – 17:00
(GMT+3)
COFFEE BREAK
17:00 – 18:00
(GMT+3)
PLENARY SESSION
SPRING STAGE
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE GAME PLAYED BY CHINA-RUSSIA-EU-US?
An existing interdependence between the four powerhouses within the ongoing transformation of international systems causes uncertainty about the future of the world order (or disorder). Global multi-polarity of four great powers is neither established nor can it be viewed as a ‘win-win’ situation for the new global arrangements made along the optimistic lines of idealism policy. The People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the United States and the European Union are all bound by trade and economic interdependence despite growing political disagreements, security threat perceptions and the military ambitions of Russia and China. How will the bilateral and multi-lateral relationships between great powers and the rest of the world change in the 21st century? Will the alliance between the United States and Europe strengthen after Russian invasion into Ukraine? Might China and Russia become stronger allies?
Mercy A. Kuo, Executive Vice President at Pamir Consulting, Columnist at The Diplomat
Nick Redman, Director of Analysis at Oxford Analytica
Robert Lee, Office Director for European Union and Regional Affairs at U.S. Department of State (tbc)
Moderator: Bobo Lo, Independent International Relations Analyst
Concluding remarks by H.E. Edgars Rinkēvičs, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia
19:30 – 21:00
(GMT+3)